Case displays veteran's medals

To see this individual around town, doing his daily activities, you may never know what extraordinary things he has done in his past. That can be said of many people, but this man is a hero to the United States of America.

John Combs was drafted in April of 1968 and honorably discharged from the United States Army in January 1970. We think of the Vietnam Conflict as the Vietnam War. Actually, the Vietnam Era is considered a Peace Time effort. It was considered a police efforts and never declared a war.

During this time, John and his fellow soldiers were setting up mechanized parameters, called APC (armor personnel carrier.) A double fed mortar blew up. It was not enemy fire. Many soldiers died. The platoon sergeant asked for volunteers to retrieve weapons in the field. Specialist E4 Combs trusted his platoon sergeant, so he volunteered. He received the "Soldiers Medal" which is the highest peace time medal.

They believed it was friendly fire. He was wounded in his face and hands with shrapnel and was told he needed to get medical help. He refused because he knew others were hurt more than he was. Sgt. Combs retrieved wounded soldiers during two different episodes and Sgt E5 Combs retrieved more wounded a third time. "It's just something you did." John said. "It was total chaos and many wounded needed to be found."

Because of this, John Combs also received three bronze stars. "It's so sad, so many guys have PTSD and can't hold a job. I still think of those guys every day. I'm not afraid of dying. I honestly think God was protecting me over there. I think youth today should join the military because it teaches them discipline, respect and patriotism. Youth today don't have that. They don't hold doors open for people and are fowl mouthed." Anyone who knows John Combs can see he is still that kind of man. He will always come through in a crisis situation. It is a privilege to know Vietnam Veteran John Combs. He has heart and spirit. A veteran indeed.

Many know heroes. Veterans do not want to talk about their involvement in any extra ordinary act. John is no different. It's just who he is. His wife Linda suggested many times John should have a display case for his medals. He was reluctant to do so. Then finally he agreed. Gene Bruening made the case for him.